Chemo- and regioselectivity in the reactions between highly electrophilic fluorine containing dicarbonyl compounds and amines. Improved synthesis of the corresponding imines/enamines

Chemo- and regioselectivity in the reactions between highly electrophilic fluorine containing dicarbonyl compounds (ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoroacetoacetate, 3,3,3-trifluoropyruvate and 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dione) and various benzylamines were systematically studied. The results obtained lead to the development of a generalized and practical method for large-scale synthesis of the corresponding imines/enamines, useful starting materials for preparation fluorinated amines and amino acid.